Olaf Zawacki-Richter is professor of educationaltechnology at the University of Oldenburg, and also teaches in theonline Masters of Distance Education and E-Learning program offeredjointly by the University of Oldenburg and the University of Maryland,University College.Terry Anderson is professor and researcher in theTechnology-Enhanced Knowledge Research Centre at Athabasca University.His research interests focus on interaction and social media ineducational contexts. He is the editor of The Theory and Practice ofOnline Learning, 2nd ed., winner of the 2009 Charles E. WedemeyerAward.

• Foreword - Otto PetersIntroduction Research Areas in Online Distance Education / OlafZawacki-Richter and Terry Anderson part I Macro-levelResearch: Distance Education Systems and TheoriesInternationalization and Concepts of Social Justice: What Is to BeDone? / Alan Tait and Jennifer O'RourkeGlobalization, Culture, and Online Distance Learning / CharlotteN. GunawardenaDistance Education Systems and Institutions in the Online Era: AnIdentity Crisis / Sarah Guri-RosenblitOnline Distance Education Models and Research Implications /Terry D. Evans and Margaret HaugheyMethods of Study in Distance Education: A Critical Review ofSelected Recent Literature / Farhad Saba part II Meso-level research:Management, Organization, and TechnologyOrganization and Management of Online and Distance Learning /Ross PaulThe Costs and Economics of Online Distance Education / GrevilleRumbleThe Use of Technology in Distance Education / GráinneConoleInnovation and Change: Changing How we Change / JonDronProfessional Development and Faculty Support / MargaretHicksLearner Support in Online Distance Education: Essential and Evolving/ Jane E. BrindleyQuality Assurance in Online Distance Education / ColinLatchem part III Micro-level Research:Learning and Teaching in Distance EducationMajor Movements in Instructional Design / Katy Campbell andRichard. A. SchwierInteraction and Communication in Online Learning Communities:Towardan Engaged and Flexible Future / Dianne ConradQuantitative Analysis of Interaction Patterns in Online DistanceEducation / Allan JeongFrom the Back Door into the Mainstream: The Characteristics ofLifelong Learners / Joachim Stöter, Mark Bullen, OlafZawacki-Richter, and Christine von PrümmerStudent Dropout: The Elephant in the Room / Alan Woodley andOrmond Simpson Conclusion Towards a Research Agenda / Terry Anderson and OlafZawacki-Richter

Olaf Zawacki-Richter is professor of educationaltechnology at the University of Oldenburg, and also teaches in theonline Masters of Distance Education and E-Learning program offeredjointly by the University of Oldenburg and the University of Maryland,University College.Terry Anderson is professor and researcher in theTechnology-Enhanced Knowledge Research Centre at Athabasca University.His research interests focus on interaction and social media ineducational contexts. He is the editor of The Theory and Practice ofOnline Learning, 2nd ed., winner of the 2009 Charles E. WedemeyerAward.

• Foreword - Otto PetersIntroduction Research Areas in Online Distance Education / OlafZawacki-Richter and Terry Anderson part I Macro-levelResearch: Distance Education Systems and TheoriesInternationalization and Concepts of Social Justice: What Is to BeDone? / Alan Tait and Jennifer O'RourkeGlobalization, Culture, and Online Distance Learning / CharlotteN. GunawardenaDistance Education Systems and Institutions in the Online Era: AnIdentity Crisis / Sarah Guri-RosenblitOnline Distance Education Models and Research Implications /Terry D. Evans and Margaret HaugheyMethods of Study in Distance Education: A Critical Review ofSelected Recent Literature / Farhad Saba part II Meso-level research:Management, Organization, and TechnologyOrganization and Management of Online and Distance Learning /Ross PaulThe Costs and Economics of Online Distance Education / GrevilleRumbleThe Use of Technology in Distance Education / GráinneConoleInnovation and Change: Changing How we Change / JonDronProfessional Development and Faculty Support / MargaretHicksLearner Support in Online Distance Education: Essential and Evolving/ Jane E. BrindleyQuality Assurance in Online Distance Education / ColinLatchem part III Micro-level Research:Learning and Teaching in Distance EducationMajor Movements in Instructional Design / Katy Campbell andRichard. A. SchwierInteraction and Communication in Online Learning Communities:Towardan Engaged and Flexible Future / Dianne ConradQuantitative Analysis of Interaction Patterns in Online DistanceEducation / Allan JeongFrom the Back Door into the Mainstream: The Characteristics ofLifelong Learners / Joachim Stöter, Mark Bullen, OlafZawacki-Richter, and Christine von PrümmerStudent Dropout: The Elephant in the Room / Alan Woodley andOrmond Simpson Conclusion Towards a Research Agenda / Terry Anderson and OlafZawacki-Richter

Olaf Zawacki-Richter is professor of educationaltechnology at the University of Oldenburg, and also teaches in theonline Masters of Distance Education and E-Learning program offeredjointly by the University of Oldenburg and the University of Maryland,University College.Terry Anderson is professor and researcher in theTechnology-Enhanced Knowledge Research Centre at Athabasca University.His research interests focus on interaction and social media ineducational contexts. He is the editor of The Theory and Practice ofOnline Learning, 2nd ed., winner of the 2009 Charles E. WedemeyerAward.

• Foreword - Otto PetersIntroduction Research Areas in Online Distance Education / OlafZawacki-Richter and Terry Anderson part I Macro-levelResearch: Distance Education Systems and TheoriesInternationalization and Concepts of Social Justice: What Is to BeDone? / Alan Tait and Jennifer O'RourkeGlobalization, Culture, and Online Distance Learning / CharlotteN. GunawardenaDistance Education Systems and Institutions in the Online Era: AnIdentity Crisis / Sarah Guri-RosenblitOnline Distance Education Models and Research Implications /Terry D. Evans and Margaret HaugheyMethods of Study in Distance Education: A Critical Review ofSelected Recent Literature / Farhad Saba part II Meso-level research:Management, Organization, and TechnologyOrganization and Management of Online and Distance Learning /Ross PaulThe Costs and Economics of Online Distance Education / GrevilleRumbleThe Use of Technology in Distance Education / GráinneConoleInnovation and Change: Changing How we Change / JonDronProfessional Development and Faculty Support / MargaretHicksLearner Support in Online Distance Education: Essential and Evolving/ Jane E. BrindleyQuality Assurance in Online Distance Education / ColinLatchem part III Micro-level Research:Learning and Teaching in Distance EducationMajor Movements in Instructional Design / Katy Campbell andRichard. A. SchwierInteraction and Communication in Online Learning Communities:Towardan Engaged and Flexible Future / Dianne ConradQuantitative Analysis of Interaction Patterns in Online DistanceEducation / Allan JeongFrom the Back Door into the Mainstream: The Characteristics ofLifelong Learners / Joachim Stöter, Mark Bullen, OlafZawacki-Richter, and Christine von PrümmerStudent Dropout: The Elephant in the Room / Alan Woodley andOrmond Simpson Conclusion Towards a Research Agenda / Terry Anderson and OlafZawacki-Richter